Flying-machine.



A. 0. GARDINER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR, 1911.

1,008, 1 3L Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

3 SHEET$SHEET 1.

A. '0. GARDINER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1911 1,008,131. Patented Nov/7, 1911.

3SHEETSSHEET s.

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in we ANWYL O. GAEDINER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 DIEDRICEI KNABBE, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

FLYING-MACHINE.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

To all whom it may concern;

Be, it known that I, ANwYL O. GARDINER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of'Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines of the heavier-than-air class.

One object of the invention is to provide means for partially sustaining the weight of the machine in the air, increasing the lateral stability of the machine, and decreasing the liability of the loss of the lateral balance.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for sustaining the machine upon the surface of a body of water, and allowing it to alight thereon and ascend therefrom at the will of the aviator.

Another object of the invention is to provide attachments for the purpose described which may be applied to existing types of heavier-than-air machines.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed,referonce being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a biplane machine equipped with my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4.4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the main planes. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through one of the gas bags.

In the present instance, I have shown the application of my invention to a biplane flying machine, of which 1 designates the upper and 2 the lower main plane or supporting surfaces.

Arranged upon the wings of the plane 1 are buoyant bodies 3, each shown in the form of a substantial cigar-shaped body having its pointed end facing forwardly. These bodies or gas bags are accordingly arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine, and they are of such length asfto project beyond the front and rear edges of the plane. Each buoyant body or bag referably composed of a central longitudinal rod or shaft 4, supporting a series of disks or hoops 5 arranged at spaced intervals thereon, the peripheries of the disks being connected by truss strands 6 of wire or othersuitable material. Over the skeleton frame thus formed'is arranged'an into prevent tilting of the machine laterally from said gusts of air, and-thus promote the lateral stability of the machine and decrease the liability of the loss of the-lateral balance. I

As shown, each bag is provided at its topv with a gas vent 8 normally held closed by a spring-actuated valve 9, and at its bot tom with a filling neck or inlet 10, which may be provided with any suitable type of check valve 11. 1 a

For controlling the valve 9, an operating cord 12 is provided, said cord having branches 12 passing through suitable guides 13 and over pulleys 13 to a lever 14 connected with the 'valve, so that, when the cord is-pulled upon, the lever will be rocked to force the valve open for the escape of the gas or buoying medium to the atmosphere. The spring 14 is connected with the lever and normally operates to hold the same in valve-closing position.

In practice, the bags are preferably curved to conform tothe curvature of the planes, and said bags are adapted to seat within partially circular cradles or supports 15 mounted on the planes and to be securely bound thereto by straps 16,-by which they material and are provided with valved in lets 18 for the introduction of a ,buoying gas thereinto. They are adapted to engage cradles or seats 19 similar in construction to the cradles 15 and are secured thereto by straps 20. If desired, however, the cylinders or pontoons may be made of metal or other inexpensive material and filled with water or other fluid to increase or vary the weight of the load of the machine, as desired, to adapt it to ride over easily upon the surface of a body of water. The pontoons or floats adapt the machine to alight upon and arise from the surface of a body of water, and may be inclined to the horizontal to serve as hydroplanes. /Vhile shown in the presentinstance as mounted upon the lower 'main plane, the pontoons may, of course, be mounted upon the chassis or wheel base of the machine, and any ordinary type of launching and landing gear may be employed in connection therewith.

Having thus described the invention, 1

claim:

1. In a flying machine, a supporting surface having laterally extending wings, cradles upon the wings, gas-filled buoying bodies resting in the cradles, and fastenings connected with the cradles and enveloping the bodies to detachably hold the same in position.

' 2; In a flying machine, a supporting surface, gas-filled buoyant bodies mounted upon said surface on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine, each of said bodies being provided with a vent valve, a lever connected with said valve, a spring for normally holding the lever in valveclosing position, guides upon the sides of the body, a controlling cord, and branches leading from said controlling cord through said guides to the lever.

3. In a'ilying machine, the combination with a frame and a supporting surface, of hollow buoyant bodies mounted upon the base of the frame on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine, and hollow gas-filled bodies mounted upon the sup porting surface on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine and laterally beyond the plane of the first-named buoyant bodies.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANWYL O. GARDINER.

Witnesses:

D. KNABBE, W, N. BARRON. 

